Take care how you go.

Can you keep close behind us, my lads?
Better join hands.

Now then, are you ready ?" "Ay, ay," came in a low murmur; and, grasping the master's hand, Archy led on, fully believing that the smugglers were still there, but feeling that they would keep in hiding, and try to escape when they were gone.
"Say, my lad," whispered the master, "I pity you--I do from my soul.
Think of you being shut up all alone in a place like this! Hah! Look out!" The order was needless, for the smugglers gave every one warning to do that.
One moment the King's men were advancing cautiously through the darkness, the next, without a sound to warn them, there was a rush; blows fell thick and fast, cudgel striking head, cutlass, shoulder, anything that opposed the advance; and in less time than it takes to describe the encounter, the sailors were beaten down or aside, and the party of four, who were warned of what to expect by the noise in their front, advanced to the help of their friends, but only to be beaten down or aside by the gang which rushed at them.
"Stop them, Dick.

Down with them!" shouted the master, as soon as he could get on his feet.

"Hi, Dick! Pass the word to the bo's'n to look out.